RBC commits $250K to sponsor UFV’s Canada-India Chair
India is the second fastest growing economy in the world and B.C. businesses are keen to capitalize on the opportunity. To help them do just that, RBC has committed $250,000 over five years to be the exclusive sponsor in the financial services category of the B.C. Regional Innovation Chair in Canada-India Business Economic Development, currently held by Professor D.J. Sandhu.
The Chair, which is housed in the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley, is mandated to help B.C. businesses access opportunities in the fast-growing Indian economy. The Valley is home to one of the nation’s largest Indo-Canadian populations and boasts strong Canada-India connections – both cultural and financial.
As part of this partnership, RBC will work with UFV to develop and promote roundtables, seminars, speaking events (live and online), networking sessions, and a guide that will feature information on how to do business in and with India.
“This sponsorship provides an opportunity for RBC to provide our clients with access to pertinent information relevant to their businesses,” says Todd Shewfelt, RBC’s regional vice president for the Fraser Valley. “Many of our clients and prospects are intrigued by India’s burgeoning economy and have questions as to how this growth will impact them. We will now be able to provide them with exclusive access to information and to professionals who have successfully navigated the business terrain in India.”
Three events will be planned for each of the five years of the sponsorship program. In each year, one featured speaker will appear in Vancouver at a public venue as well as a minimum of two other communities in BC. The first of these events is taking place this Friday, September 26 at the Vancouver Board of Trade, featuring customer management consultant Carol Borghesi speaking on ‘Getting down to Business in India’. All attendees will receive a free copy of a guide entitled India — the new opportunity, produced by RBC in collaboration with Professor Sandhu.
“This partnership sets the stage and provides the direct channels for me to provide actionable, customized business intelligence for small- and medium-sized enterprises that are keen to access the Indian market,” says Sandhu. “It reinforces the role of the Chair as a “doorman” of sorts, opening doors for B.C. businesses to avail themselves of the opportunities in India.” He adds that as Chair, he also advises Indian firms interested in pursuing opportunities in Canada.
UFV operates Canada’s only Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies, through which the government and communities gain knowledge of and access to the South Asian community in B.C. and Canada. RBC has been supporting the Centre since 2004, when its Foundation contributed with a $50,000 grant.
For more information about the RBC sponsorship of the B.C. Regional Innovation Chair in Canada-India Business Economic Development, please contact John Groves, Senior Advisor, Public Affairs, RBC at tel: 604-668-2651 or email: john.e.groves@rbc.com.
Download a PDF version of India — the new opportunity at www.rbcroyalbank.com/commercial/global
